Here`s a look at what the teams...

Alan SolomonCHICAGO TRIBUNE

Here`s a look at what the teams in the American League will be seeking to accomplish during this week`s Winter Meetings.

East Division

- Baltimore: The phenoms of just a couple of years ago need help everywhere, but most of all in the rotation, where there is no No. 1 starter. Elsewhere, they`re seeking a leadoff man, a second baseman and a power-hitting outfielder. A run at Dan Pasqua turned up nothing, and they`re among those taking a long and longing look at Montreal second basemen Delino DeShields and Bret Barberie. Touchables: Randy Milligan, Craig Worthington, Juan Bell

(George`s brother) and Brady Anderson.

- Boston: In desperate need of a No. 2 starter behind Roger Clemens, Boston will still pursue Frank Viola, unless the Blue Jays get there first. An Ellis Burks-Kevin Appier deal reportedly was talked about; for sure, Burks, Mike Greenwell, Carlos Quintana and Scott Cooper are less than untouchable. If Quintana doesn`t excite, try Mo Vaughn-but offer pitching. If Burks goes for a pitcher, the Red Sox will be shopping for a center-fielder-which could mean Otis Nixon.

- Cleveland: There`s no No. 1 starter left in Cleveland, so that`s a priority. It won`t be Eric King, who`s on the block again and may be the Indians only marketable commodity. They would like to upgrade center field, and there have been talks involving the Expos` Dave Martinez, but they`ll bypass the pricier free agents.

- Milwaukee: Burned big time by free agency last season (Ted Higuera, Franklin Stubbs), they`ll sit that dance out unless a bargain emerges. They picked up a needed left-handed reliever Friday in Jesse Orosco, and they could use a backup middle infielder. With Chris Bosio apparently secure again, Dante Bichette is their only bait. Talks will continue with Jim Gantner, but Willie Randolph will have to look elsewhere.

- Detroit: They`re looking for a setup guy for Mike Henneman, who may turn out to be Barry Jones if the thin Tigers can come up with a package. Some speed in the outfield would be nice, but the big money move was $8.5 million to keep catcher Mickey Tettleton happy for three more years. The Lou Whitaker Is Available rumor is back for a second year, but chances are he`ll stay.

- New York: The front office is a mess, once again, and once again, third base is a priority. Last year, Stump Merrill tried eight people there. Combined, they produced a .225 average, 6 homers, 38 RBIs and 37 errors. Steve Buechele tops their free-agent wish list, with Mike Pagliarulo (again) a possibility. After Scott Sanderson, the starting pitching is awful; Gene Michael wanted Tom Candiotti but never called. Barry Bonds intrigues him, but the Yanks don`t have much to give. Steve Sax is being offered around, as are Jesse Barfield, coming off a foot fracture; fallen phenom Kevin Maas; most of the starters and most of the surviving third basemen.

- Toronto: Losing Candiotti stung, but it wasn`t altogether unexpected. With Dave Stieb still an unknown quantity (though early reports are encouraging), the Jays need another starter and could give up Tom Henke. Rumbles locally that Kelly Gruber could be had generated outrage locally, so skip that. They, like Baltimore, had Pasqua on their list and will continue to look for a run- producer, possibly Dave Winfield.

West Division

- California: Everything depends on signing Wally Joyner, who, because he can read the papers, now wants a five-year contract instead of one for four. Whatever happens with Joyner, Whitey Herzog will still be looking for outfield help and a DH. Winfield, whose option wasn`t picked up, could be back in a restructured contract if, at 40, he can live with the DH role. Everybody wants Chuck Finley, but the Angels are trying to lock him, Bryan Harvey and Jim Abbott into long-term deals. Buck Rodgers, who had Otis Nixon before, wants him again. Expect Junior Felix to land somewhere else.

- Kansas City: With Danny Tartabull gone and Jim Eisenreich on the fence, they`re looking for offense, which is why they may keep Kurt Stillwell after all. Almost every trade rumor involves Appier, including one that would deliver Kevin McReynolds and Dave Magadan from the Mets and inflate an already inflated Kansas City payroll. That`s not the chosen direction.

- Minnesota: The priority here is keeping free agents Jack Morris, Pagliarulo and Brian Harper while hanging on to enough cash to satisfy Kirby Puckett and Rick Aguilera, who will be eligible for free agency after next season. Morris wants something like $13 million for three years and probably will get it. If ''Pags'' and Harper stay, the other free agents-Dan Gladden, Junior Ortiz, Steve Bedrosian and Al Newman-will be allowed to seek their fortunes elsewhere. Not much likely to happen here in trades, though David West and Gene Larkin could be had.

- Oakland: Much here will depend on what GM Sandy Alderson does with his free agents-the number reduced to five now that Carney Lansford has been re-signed. Ernest Riles and Curt Young will be left to look for work, but Mike Gallego is likely to be offered arbitration. That, entering the weekend, left Ron Darling and Brook Jacoby with uncertain futures in Oakland. The A`s need pitching but don`t seem inclined to trade troubled Mark McGwire and can`t unload Rickey Henderson.

- Seattle: Discovery of a tear in Brian Holman`s rotator cuff-he`ll be out at least until the All-Star break-means the Mariners will be scrambling to find a low-cost pitcher. Low-cost is the key: The financial mess there means just about everything is on hold, including the future of the franchise. Right-handed power would be nice but, again, we`re talking bargains here. It may take all their available resources just to keep Bill Krueger.

- Texas: They would love to find an actual shortstop, which could mean the likes of Spike Owen or Felix Fermin. Even Dickie Thon could fit, at least for awhile. They`re among the clubs that have talked with Rick Sutcliffe, but all that seems secondary to signing Ruben Sierra beyond next year, when he can become a free agent.